Fermentation of 1st Home Brew Batch

[callisbeers]

I brewed my first batch, an IPA on Monday. Today, I observed no visible bubbling after staring at the airlock for 5 minutes. However, there is condensation in the airlock. Am I good to move to a secondary fermenter? What does all this mean? I did not take a gravity reading, was told not to worry about this.

 

[unionrdr]

You could take a gravity reading to make sure it's fermenting. But I've had ferments that didn't bubble & came out fine.

 

[jonmohno]

Are you really determined to move it to secondary? You can just leave it in primary. A lot of instructions on kits and book recipes usually say to secondary but its often not neccessary and you dont "have to" Unless there is a reason you want to secondary go for it or if you just want to but dont think you have to
If you were to move it with any on mine using dry yeast i would say the majority of fermentation is done assuming an average abv and if i seen the krasen fall and the ring of crud around a glass fermenter. Being new and all if you are secondaring taking a gravity reading may be a good idea, but i never do until i bottle, i like to just leave it alone till i bottle.

 

[GatorBrew1]

I am no expert, and I am a beginner myself but I would resist the tempation to move to the secondary this soon. I am under the impression that even though there is no air bubbles that doesn't mean that it is not still fermenting. I would leave it for another 2 weeks or so. JMHO

 

[callisbeers]

It did bubble for the first 2-3 days. I don't really want to go to secondary, just thought I was suppose to. It is not in a glass fermenter (may switch to that moving forward because it seems like it would be more helpful) but I can see a build up of crud at the bottom. How long should I let it sit until kegging? Another week? 2 weeks?

Also, I was told at the brew shop that an easier way to carbonate the keg was to put it in the fridge, hook up the CO2 and let it sit for 5 days. He said the head might not be as good as it would be doing it by priming the keg but it would be fine. Sound right?

 

[TipsyDragon]

Whoever told you not to worry was right. An airlock is a pressure release valve not a fermentation indicator. If your brewing in a bucket the pressure could be escaping from around the lid. I know this is your first brew and your all worried. We have all been there. Just let it sit for a couple weeks and start taking hydrometer readings. If you get 2 readings 3 days apart that are exactly the same (adjusted for temperature). Then fermentation is done and you can move on to the next step.

To head a potential second post off at the pass. If and when you switch to glass dont panic if you see sludge or foam on the top of the brew that's just the yeast and karusen. its normal.

 

[levand]

I've done two batches so far, and in both cases it bubbled for 2-3 days and then stopped. I let it sit quietly for the rest of the week in primary (it's not going to hurt it) and then moved to secondary.

Sounds like that on the track you're on, so yes, you're probably fine.

 

[SIXFOOTER]

I have found that 2 weeks in primary is better than one and in most cases there is no need to move to a secondary. The only reason to secondary is for additional clearing time or for adding additional ingredients like fruit or something. I like fermenting in a carboy better than a bucket, but either one is fine. I don't keg so can't help on that issue

 

[kh54s10]

Instead of glass carboys, I know some prefer them, look into better bottles. They are lighter, won't break and still clear if you want to watch what is happening in there. I am careful with my equipment but I still envision the accident with a glass carboy that severs arteries or tendons... Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl.

 

[jonmohno]

You dont need to get another to replace your bucket. With dry yeast giving mine 3-4 weeks it turns out fine about 100% of the time.Nothing wrong with having extra carboys or buckets to make more though.